Square Enix’s Chief Technology Officer Departs for Personal Reasons

July 26, 2014 Written by Zarmena Khan

Japanese video game developer and publisher Square Enix’s Chief Technology Officer and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn technology director, Yoshihisa Hashimoto, has left the company for personal reasons.

Hashimoto joined Square Enix in 2009 after leaving Sega to work on developing the Luminous engine. He was also managing the company’s Advanced Technology Division.

A full-time replacement has not yet been found but the company has confirmed to Polygon that Hashimoto will serve as Technical Adviser on a need basis for Final Fantasy XIV and the Luminous engine. His other responsibilities will be shared between staff members at Square Enix until further notice.

Square Enix has been going through some difficult times. In March 2013, CEO Yoichi Wada departed the company and shortly afterwards, President and CEO of Square Enix America, Mike Fischer, left as well. Late last year, veteran character designer Akihiko Yoshida resigned, and just this past March, VP of strategic marketing North America and Europe, Karl Stewart, left.